Search for
Search for
Search forJamie to set up new restaurant
Thursday, November 20, 2008, 15:37
The 33-year-old will open Jamie's Italian at Churchill Place Mall in the autumn of next year, having already opened branches in Oxford, Bath and Kingston to very favourable notices.
The chain of restaurants is the brainchild of Jamie and his mentor Gennaro Contaldo, and offer authentic Italian food at affordable prices.
It's one of a number of projects the celebrity chef is involved with, with his Ministry of Food series for Channel 4 recently coming to an end, but a new Channel 4 Food Fight programme strand due in the New Year.
The Clavering culinary guru has also secured a big money deal to design kitchens and restaurants in Dubai in the luxury Jumeirah Golf Estates, which is due to open in 2011.
It seems a long way from his days as a fresh-faced cheeky chappy conjuring up delicious but uncomplicated dishes in the Naked Chef.
Since taking on his various campaigns – training the unemployed to be chefs in Fifteen, School Dinners, Fowl Dinners and Ministry of Food – Jamie has certainly had plenty of praise and admiration, but it seems to have come at a price, as he revealed in an interview with The Observer Food Monthly.
His campaigning comes with responsibility and he talked about the difficulties of following his various projects through and the commitment it involves.
"I have 100 employees now. My wage bill is £5m. I have to make money. At the same time, I could retire.
"Money doesn't really turn me on. Doing things properly and being successful is important to me. But I don't think that an extra million quid would make a difference either way.
"It's not about being good. I don't think I am any nicer than any nice person I've ever met... I'm a freak of nature."
Oliver realises he's had a good run but is committed to finishing the work he's started.
"I've been on screens in Britain for 11 years, but most people get spat out in three."
"I promised the public I'd follow school dinners until it was done, and now it looks like I might be 50 before it is."
Depart from Heathrow or Manchester. £xxx rtn inc tax. Book online now.
High-quality, low-cost self-install uPVC vertical sliding sash windows. Manufactured to your specifications and delivered to you in super quick time. Check out our prices.
www.newspaceconservatories.co.uk
Pet Insurance- 5% Online Discount
UK Pet Insurance. Buy instantly online. From just £4.85 per month.
NEW EATERY: Oliver will be opening a Jamie's Italian in Canary Wharf
Comment on this story